A blog designed to help make safety easy.

March 25, 2015August 5, 2015

New Regulation Updates!

As the new year has unfolded, a few regulations have been updated.

OSHA regulation codes CFR 1910.269 are being updated. The official publication date was April 11th of 2014 and went into effect on July 11th, 2014. These updates are more specific to fire & electrical arc safety. Companies are on the move to make sure they are compliant with the new updated regulations and have until January 1st, 2015 to decide if their work environment needs to comply with these new changes. They have until April 1st, 2015 to purchase and require their workers who are at risk to wear the appropriate flame resistant PPE. The original codes were not as consistent with current industry standards which is why these updates have been made. The updates are to help save lives and reduce workplace injury.

In addition, OSHA is making it clear that Flame Resistant Protection is considered PPE. All employers MUST make it their responsibility to make necessary risk assessments, purchases and maintain the proper equipment for all employees at risk. They must also make sure their employees are educated on the proper care/cleaning of the garments and how to inspect to ensure they continue to comply with new standards.
The new standards state:
1. Clothing worn by the employee must not melt and must not ignite and continue to burn when exposed to flames or electric arcs.
2. Wearing clothing made from fabrics (blended or alone) that use acetate, nylon, polyester, rayon, or polypropylene are strictly prohibited unless the employer can demonstrate that the fabric has been treated to comply with the above requirements or is worn in such a way as to eliminate those hazards.
3. Cotton and wool may still be worn since they do not melt but the material must be thick enough to meet above the conditions of not igniting & continuing to burn for the given risks involved.
4. A Flame Resistant outer layer covering both upper and lower parts from head to toe must be worn for incident heat energy that may exceed 2.0 cal/cm2.

In addition to standard 1910.269 being updated, ANSI Z359.11-14 standard updates are coming. These new changes will take effect on April 1st, 2015. These changes will be effecting:

1. Lanyard Parking Attachment Element – The loop that can be used to slow the user’s energy absorbing lanyard when not in use. It is designed to break away when a maximum of 120 pounds of force is applied to it. This design will supersede all previously designed lanyard parking loops.

2. Back Strap – This strap is designed to keep the shoulder straps on the back from separating, preventing the user’s upper body from passing thru the opening between the dorsal cross over point and leg straps.

3. Fall Arrest Indicator – This will make it easier, during the inspection process to determine if a full body harness has been subjected to shock loading, due to a fall.

**Any harness manufactured prior to Sept. 1, 2015 will be acceptable for use – they will not need to be thrown away. Anything made on Sept. 1, 2015 and after that is marked for ANSI compliance and must be made to the .11 standard. (per Capital Safety)

Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your workers are protected and compliant. Make sure to order your updated product today! Stock is limited!

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/EmergentSafetySupply
Follow us on Twitter: @EmergentSafety